Laugh Die Me: The World of Singlish

Singapore is considered an English-speaking country. While once you got a chance to speak to a Singaporean it’ll give you subversive ideas. There’s no type of English which is more powerful and frank than Singlish. And due to Malay and other dialects, this is a strange language which differs a lot from standard English.

“Brother! Where you? Wad? You are still in Buangkok, Walau Eh! Aiya don’t talkkok talkkok lah quickly quickly come to Boon Keng lah … The makan place you know or not? Sala you so blur … Okay okay, got one Starbucks in MRT, I nua there first and wait for you K?”

If you noticed, Singlish likes dressing English sentences with lah, leh, and lor.

And it also sounds concise and comprehensive. For example:

RETURNING A CALL
Britons : Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone call for me a few moments ago?
Singaporeans : Hello, who call?

WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons : Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?
Singaporeans : (pointing at the door) Can ah?

WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU.
Britons : Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time. Do I know you?
Singaporeans : See what, see what?

It seems there are no grammar rules and people speak in the way they want. For lots of time this language includes thinking modes and sentence structure in Chinese. Meaning is often implied, which reduces the overall word count. This is a good choice for the lazy. Guess it’s due to that many Chinese people have lived there and Singaporeans study Chinese as well.